nominate Lesser Black-backed Gull (L. fuscus)

(last update: 29-5-2006)

Home

fuscus 1cy August

fuscus 1cy October

fuscus 2cy February

fuscus 2cy July

fuscus 2cy August

fuscus 3cy February

fuscus 3cy July

fuscus 3cy August

fuscus 4cy July

fuscus 4cy August

fuscus ad June

fuscus ad July

fuscus ad August

(4 images) Larus fuscus fuscus 2cy C5UJ August 2002, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

C5UJ was ringed in Punkah, Finland (61.86N 29.49E), ringed as pullus previous summer 2001: July 05 2001 by Risto Juvaste. Hand when ringed: 195 mm.
Considering the upper-part moult, this is another example of typical Finnish fuscus, representing average 2cy fuscus.  
Recorded at Tampere: 2002-08-02, >2002-08-03, 2002-08-04, 2002-08-07, 2002-08-17, 2002-08-18.
After August 18 2002, C5UJ wasn't seen again at Tampere dump despite intense visits and may have moved further south from that date on.

Primaries P1-P9 were included in the moult on the wintering grounds last spring and the picture shows the abraded tip of P10, which is still juvenile. After arrival in Europe, a new moult wave started at P1, and by mid August, P1-P3 are fresh 3rd generation feathers, P4 is missing, P5-P9 are 2nd generation and P10 is old juvenile. All secondaries and tail-feathers are present and were replaced at the wintering grounds as well, now in August: 2nd generation.

The outer greater coverts are shed and show the second generation secondaries. Most of the wing-coverts are very worn second generation feathers. The innermost greater covert, a single median covert, quite some lower lessers and lesser coverts have been replaced for dark third generation feathers, which still show some internal patterns, unlike the commonly found plain blackish-grey 3rd generation feathers in 2cy fuscus. The upper tertials were the last moulted feathers to 3rd generation, showing a broad white fringe at the tip. All tail-feathers are worn second generation.
The scapulars are a mix of worn second generation feathers and dark third generation feathers.

2 images below: August 17 2002 (images by Hannu Koskinen). See also Visa Rauste's website.